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2018 Ford Ecosport

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2018 Ford Ecosport do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 395.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

267 reports with mileage · 459 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 355 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 311 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 67 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

18 crash reports2 fire reports7 injury reports

Engine complaints

355 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jun 12, 2024
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control

The recall on the oil pump has really put a halt in my life. I was driving home when my vehicle cut out. I lost control of the vehicle for a second. Thank goodness I was not on a highway and was able to get it going again to drive home. My dash lit up with all different lights, one being low oil. The vehicle is now sitting at a …

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The recall on the oil pump has really put a halt in my life. I was driving home when my vehicle cut out. I lost control of the vehicle for a second. Thank goodness I was not on a highway and was able to get it going again to drive home. My dash lit up with all different lights, one being low oil. The vehicle is now sitting at a Ford Dealership where we wait for parts for the EcoSport. This was several months ago. I was told multiple times I could not get a loaner car and that I would have to pay for a loaner if that is what I needed. I ended up going to another dealership and financed another vehicle as my job requires me to travel. I have been in contact with the Ford Support and the Ford dealership and nothing seems to be getting done about it.

NHTSA ODI #11593969

Mileage unknown · Jun 5, 2024
EngineEngine And Engine Cooling

The contact owns a 2018 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start up as needed. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet a…

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The contact owns a 2018 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start up as needed. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was unavailable. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI #11592672

Mileage unknown · Jun 5, 2024
Engine

I've already addressed what happened to my vehicle and a recall has since been issued in Dec 2023. The problem I have is the recall doesn't address the vehicles that have already failed due to the defective oil pump. Mine failed and totaled my engine leaving me without a vehicle on October 17, 2023. You even state in your des…

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I've already addressed what happened to my vehicle and a recall has since been issued in Dec 2023. The problem I have is the recall doesn't address the vehicles that have already failed due to the defective oil pump. Mine failed and totaled my engine leaving me without a vehicle on October 17, 2023. You even state in your description of the safety risk if this were to happen by saying it could damage your engine and possibly seize. It needs to be more prominent and highlite the fact that if this happens, your engine is gone, no more engine and no more car. It's more geared to the cars in the recall that haven't had it fail yet! Ford hopes to fix a part in those oil pumps and make it all better. But what about me!! At least everybody else still has a car to drive. I don't. It's gone and I'm still financing it. Ford has repeatedly told me they have no program for me. Nothing they can do. I still am part of that recall and they are breaking the law by not doing something. I need them to replace my car and pay me for everything I've had to incur due to this failure. They have no sense of urgency at all. It doesn't bother them one little bit that people are devastated when something like this happens because how do we get around. How do we get to work. Why can they get away with doing nothing for me and not held responsible. Recalls need to be split when they have vehicles damaged beyond repair for the exact issue the recalls address. They are more for just stating the safety issue if any instead of addressing what happened to each person and how they need to fix it or make it right for the consumer. I'm sick of this and I need to have them make this right.

NHTSA ODI #11592536

Mileage unknown · May 30, 2024
Engine

At the end of December of 2023, the low oil pressure light turned on, on my 2018 Ford Ecosport. I took it into Pepboys to have it checked and had a normal oil change completed. When the light did not turn off after having an oil change done, I took it in again and they informed me that it was beyond an oil change and would need …

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At the end of December of 2023, the low oil pressure light turned on, on my 2018 Ford Ecosport. I took it into Pepboys to have it checked and had a normal oil change completed. When the light did not turn off after having an oil change done, I took it in again and they informed me that it was beyond an oil change and would need to run diagnostics, so it was better if I took it into my dealership. After running diagnostics with Ford, I was told that I would need to replace my engine and that the cost would be up to 9k. At the time, I was unable to drive my only vehicle as I did not have the funds to repair it. A week after that, I was called from Ford letting me know that the issue my car had was actually a recall and I could bring it in, and the repairs would be completed within a month. Days prior to me learning about the recall I felt unsafe driving and being in the car. The car would rattle and shake, and the engine would produce a loud sound when driving. On January 2nd I took in the car and expected for it to be completed within a month as told. The day after, I reached out to hear updates, I was told that it could now take a year to repair my car. After multiple calls and emails with Ford, they have failed to provide me with any update aside from "you have to wait." I do not have the funds to purchase a car while I wait for my car, and my job relies on me driving from place to place. I have been denied a rental, or any update on the status of my car. I have had multiple cases opened up because I have been forced to call multiple different numbers. When I arrived at the head, they let me know that no case has been opened or documented as it has all been through calls. I have resorted to emails for documentation, and I have yet to hear back from them even after stating I prefer emails. I am tired of waiting and need information about the status of my car or at least a way to navigate.

NHTSA ODI #11591611

Mileage unknown · May 23, 2024
Engine

Feb 2024 in the mail regarding an upcoming recall for my vehicle I called my local Ford dealer asked them what I needed to do. They told me parts were currently unavailable and that I should continue to drive my car as normal and give them a call back in May or call them if a light came on my dash. May 15, 2024 I drove my vehicl…

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Feb 2024 in the mail regarding an upcoming recall for my vehicle I called my local Ford dealer asked them what I needed to do. They told me parts were currently unavailable and that I should continue to drive my car as normal and give them a call back in May or call them if a light came on my dash. May 15, 2024 I drove my vehicle to Birmingham Alabama. [XXX] I got in my vehicle drove it approximately 500 feet. The low oil pressure light came on two seconds later my engine failed. I was towed to a local Ford dealer in Birmingham, Alabama, where I was told that Because of the current recall on my car, it has made my engine fail now I am in need of a new engine and I live in Springfield Illinois. My car is currently 8 1/2 hours away from me sitting at a dealership and I have no car to drive , I have reached out to manufacturer three days in a row with no hope or answers on how this would be resolved. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #11590489

Mileage unknown · May 23, 2024
Engine

Around the 4th of January 2024 I got into my Ford Eco sprot. I started the engine and it started shaking. I drove to the dealership that is about .3 miles from my home. As I pulled in the service area the check engine light came on. The service advisor told me they had just had a recall notice on the oil tensioner pump and she w…

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Around the 4th of January 2024 I got into my Ford Eco sprot. I started the engine and it started shaking. I drove to the dealership that is about .3 miles from my home. As I pulled in the service area the check engine light came on. The service advisor told me they had just had a recall notice on the oil tensioner pump and she would check it out. She communicated with on March 1st that they had identified the problem as that part and it had caused the engine to seize. She stated that Ford was refusing to cover it as the recall had not yet been issued and requested I pay $8000.00. She told me there was nothing they can do until Ford releases the recall. She followed on May 8th with the same message.

NHTSA ODI #11590314

29,011 miles · May 23, 2024
Engine

The contact owns a 2018 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle hesitated to accelerate. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with coolant intrusion into the cylinders, and it was determined that the engine needed to be rep…

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The contact owns a 2018 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle hesitated to accelerate. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with coolant intrusion into the cylinders, and it was determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The contact was advised to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was 29,011.

NHTSA ODI #11590301

Mileage unknown · May 20, 2024
EnginePower TrainUnknown Or Other

Kept getting a message on the dash saying low oil pressure then the car just completely stopped on me and wouldn't start no longer

NHTSA ODI #11589670

Mileage unknown · May 18, 2024
EngineFuel/propulsion System

On or about October 2023, as I was driving my car it started to lose power. I had to pull over, out of traffic, into a parking lot. The car then stalled out and would not start. I had to call AAA to have it towed to SunAuto in North Las Vegas to have it inspected as to the problem. The manager subsequently called me to tell …

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On or about October 2023, as I was driving my car it started to lose power. I had to pull over, out of traffic, into a parking lot. The car then stalled out and would not start. I had to call AAA to have it towed to SunAuto in North Las Vegas to have it inspected as to the problem. The manager subsequently called me to tell me the engine would have to be replaced as they found metal fragments in the engine cause by the oil pump. The car was out of warranty. I had to replace the engine at an out of pocket cost of $7,300!! Luckly I wasn't driving on the highway at 65 MPH when the engine died!!

NHTSA ODI #11589465

Mileage unknown · May 16, 2024
Engine

On March 8th, 2024, I was traveling full speed northbound on I-95 returning home from a family funeral. I heard a loud "whipping" noise come from the engine, then immediately received a notification on the dash alerting me to "low engine oil pressure". Within seconds, there was a loss of all acceleration capability. The car had …

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On March 8th, 2024, I was traveling full speed northbound on I-95 returning home from a family funeral. I heard a loud "whipping" noise come from the engine, then immediately received a notification on the dash alerting me to "low engine oil pressure". Within seconds, there was a loss of all acceleration capability. The car had to coast off of the highway onto the shoulder. I was in a construction zone, and luckily had just enough room on the shoulder to pull off in between the concrete dividers. Once the car was put in park, I could smell burning oil. I tried turning the car off and back on. The dash would turn on with power, but the engine would not turn over. I had to call AAA to have my car towed to the nearest Ford dealership.

NHTSA ODI #11589071

Official recalls

2

23V905000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:oil/lubrication:pump

Dec 22, 2023

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Ford Focus and 2018-2022 Ford EcoSport vehicles. The oil pump drive belt or drive belt tensioner may fail, resulting in a loss of engine oil pressure.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A loss of oil pressure can result in an engine stall and a loss of power braking assist, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the oil pump tensioner assembly and oil pump drive belt, free of charge. If engine failure occurs due to a damaged oil pump belt and/or oil pump belt tensioner, Ford has authorized dealers to replace the engine assembly as an interim repair before the availability of remedy parts for the final repair. This repair will be free of charge (parts and labor). Owner notification letters were mailed August 11, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S64.

18V312000 · Equipment:other:labels; Service Brakes

May 14, 2018

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018 Ford Ecosport vehicles sold in the United States Federal Territiories. These vehicles were shipped with the European brake reservoir pictogram cap label and the European English language owner's manual kits. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Owners could be confused by the incorrect label on the brake fluid cap, potentially causing them to replace the brake fluid with an incorrect fluid which could affect brake performance, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake fluid cap and owner's manual kit, free of charge. The recall began on June 21, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18C04.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Service Brakes

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018 Ford Ecosport vehicles sold in the United States Federal Territiories. These vehicles were shipped with the European brake reservoir pictogram cap label and the European English language owner's manual kits. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."

Consequence: Owners could be confused by the incorrect label on the brake fluid cap, potentially causing them to replace the brake fluid with an incorrect fluid which could affect brake performance, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake fluid cap and owner's manual kit, free of charge. The recall began on June 21, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18C04.

Equipment:other:labels

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018 Ford Ecosport vehicles sold in the United States Federal Territiories. These vehicles were shipped with the European brake reservoir pictogram cap label and the European English language owner's manual kits. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."

Consequence: Owners could be confused by the incorrect label on the brake fluid cap, potentially causing them to replace the brake fluid with an incorrect fluid which could affect brake performance, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake fluid cap and owner's manual kit, free of charge. The recall began on June 21, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18C04.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

PE23015 · Oil Pump Failure

Opened Sep 20, 2023 · Closed Feb 14, 2024

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:oil/lubrication:pump

On September 20, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE23-015 to investigate instances of engine failure due to loss of oil pressure in model year (MY) 2018-2021 Ford EcoSport vehicles. Some consumers reported a low engine oil pressure warning lamp immediately preceding a complete loss or reduction of motive power while the vehicle was in motion. The investigation revealed that the engine oil pump drive belt tensioner arm may fracture, separate from the tensioner backing plate, and/or the oil pump drive belt may degrade and lose teeth, resulting in a loss of engine oil pressure. A loss of engine oil pressure can result in engine seizure, which can result in a loss of motive power and a loss of mechanical vacuum pump required to provide power braking assist, increase the risk of a crash. On December 22, 2023, Ford filed recall 23V-905 for certain MY 2016-2018 Ford Focus and 2018-2022 Ford EcoSport vehicles. The recall remedy provides the replacement of the oil pump drive belt tensioner assembly and oil pump drive belt with redesigned parts to improve robustness. In view of the recall action being taken by Ford, ODI is closing this Preliminary Evaluation. The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.